High Blood Pressure and Drug Safety

Some medicines can make blood pressure rise. If you have high blood pressure to begin with, it can rise to dangerous levels.

Some medications may interact with your blood pressure medicine. This can prevent either drug from working properly.

Here are common types of drugs that can make your high blood pressure worse.

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs include both prescription and over-the-counter medication. They are often used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation from conditions such as arthritis. However, NSAIDs can make your body retain fluid and decrease the function of your kidneys. This may cause your blood pressure to rise even higher, putting greater stress on your heart and kidneys.

You may also find NSAIDs in over-the-counter medication for other health problems. Cold medicine, for example, often contains NSAIDs. It's a good idea whenever you purchase an over-the-counter drug to check the label for NSAIDs. Ask your doctor if any NSAID is okay for you to use. Your doctor may be able to recommend alternatives, such as using acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen.

Cough and Cold Medications

Many cough and cold medications contain NSAIDs to relieve pain. As mentioned above, NSAIDs may increase your blood pressure. Cough and cold medications also frequently contain decongestants. Decongestants can make blood pressure worse in two ways:

Decongestants may make your blood pressure and heart rate rise.

Decongestants may prevent your blood pressure medication from working properly.

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a specific decongestant that can increase blood pressure.

What can you do? Avoid using cough and cold medicine that contains NSAIDs or decongestants, especially pseudoephedrine. Ask your doctor for suggestions about other ways to ease congestion symptoms, such as antihistamines or nasal sprays.

Migraine Headache Medications

Some migraine medications work by tightening blood vessels in your head. This relieves migraine pain. However, they also constrict blood vessels throughout your body. This makes your blood pressure rise, perhaps to dangerous levels.

If you have high blood pressure or any other type of heart disease, talk with your doctor before taking a drug for migraines or severe headaches.